Valve structure with improvements for torque wrench testing



United States Patent Franklin J. I-Iowes Fort Wayne, Indiana 813,005

April 3, 1969 Dec. 1, 1970 Kunkle Valve Company, Inc. Fort Wayne, Indiana a corporation of Indiana lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee VALVE STRUCTURE WITH IMPROVEMENTS FOR TORQUE WRENCH TESTING '5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

U.S. C1 137/551, 137/478, 137/522, 137/530, 251/259, 251/263 Int. Cl F16k 37/00 Field of Search 137/551,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,976,578 10/1934 Pierce 251/359 2,087,356 7/1937 Parker... l37/530X 2,832,372 4/1958 Farris 137/528 Primary Exan1inerHenry T. Klinksiek Attorney-Hume, Clement, Hume and Lee ABSTRACT: The valve structure is characterized by a lifting dog for the valve member whereby the compression load on the valve member can be conveniently checked at any time by means of a torque wrench. A rotatable dog shaft is provided for lifting the valve member by the torque wrench and by matching a torque data mark with a fixed bench mark, the extent of lifting can be accurately repeated for each checking procedure.

' Pat entecl Dec. 1,1970 f 3,543,777

Sheet 1 of2 7| Invemor FRANKLIN -J HOWES ATTYS.

Patented Dec. 1, 1970 Sheet 2 of 2 Inventor FRANKLIN J. HOWES ,Vme s VALVE STRUCTURE WITH IMPROVEMENTS FOR TORQUE WRENCH TESTING The invention relates to valve structure and has reference more particularly to fail-safe pressure setting mechanism in combination with 'a lifting dog for the valve member whereby the compression spring load on the valve member can be conveniently checked at any time by means of a torque wrench.

Thevalve structure of the invention has special utility in gas distribution systems where the safety device for the protection of the equipment and to prevent explosions must be serviced in out-of-the-way locations. Previous checking procedures were impracticable, such as cylinders of pressurized air, because of portability. Accordingly the present valve mechanism incorporates a modified stem and lifting dog for lifting the valve member without benefit of pressure beneath the valve member whereby a torque wrench can be employed for repeated checking against a predetermined torque readmg.

A more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of improved valve structure having a rotatable dog shaft for lifting the valve member by means of a torque wrench until a torque data mark is matched with a fixed bench mark, whereby the extent of lift can be accurately repeated for each checking procedure. By observing the reading on the torque wrench the compression spring load on the valve member can be accurately determined and checked against a predetermined reading.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved spring-loaded safety relief valve which incorporates the features as herein described and wherein the valve member is especially designed with a wedge-shaped cavity for receiving a deformable sealing element properly dimensioned for applicable pressures so as to maintain maximum seat tightness.

With these and various other objects in view the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended thereto.

ln the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken vertically through the valve device substantially on the center line and showing details of the valve structure;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view with parts shown in section for illustrating the rotatable dog shaft and the actuation of the same by a torque wrench;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view illustrating the coaction between the torque data plate and the fixed bench mark;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the rotatable dog shaft;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the camming action of the lifting cams on the dog shaft with the lift nut on the valve stem; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of valve member having an inserted and deformable seating element.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the valve construction comprises a body member 11 having its lower portion exteriorly threaded at 12 for connection to any piping or other portion of a pressure system to be controlled by the valve. The numeral l3 accordingly indicates the inlet to the valve whereas the portion 14 which is internally threaded at 15 comprises the outlet 16 of the valve. The portion 17 opposite the inlet 13 is also internally threaded at 18 and this threaded top portion is adapted to releasably receive the cap 20. When the cap 20 has been threaded into the portion 17 to its full extent the setscrew 21 is threaded in place to hold the cap in fixed unitary relation with the body portion 11. The wall 22 of the body member opposite the outlet 16 is imperforate and thus the chamber 24 within the body portion contains the valve member for controlling flow of the liquid or gas from the inlet '13 to the outlet l6.

The body member 11 is recessed and internally threaded for receiving the valve seat member 25 having the circular valve seat 26. The'r egulator ring 27 is threaded to the valve seat member and the same has surroundingielatidn with'the valve seat 26. The setscrew 28 has contact with the regulator ring for holding the ring in adjusted position.

The valve member 30 is formed with coned surfaces 31 for coaction with the valve seat 26.as the valveiriember is caused to reciprocate vertically. The valve member is guided in its vertical movements by the guides 32 which contact the inside walls of the valve seat member 25. The retaining member 33 is suitably secured to the valve member and the same provides the overhanging ledge 34 which extends over the disc 35. The disc 35 is retained in the cavity formed between the overhanging ledge 34 and top surface of the valve member 30. The valve stem 37 is loosely connected to valve member 30 by groove machined inspindle end located to provide free movement downward allowing. contact in bottom of recess in valve member 30, yetpreventing free movement in upward direction. The rounded end 36 of the stem 37 extends into the recess formed in the valve member and the disc thus functions to retain the valve stem with the end portion 36 in operative relation with the valve member while permitting limited movement for assuring proper seating of the valve member on its valve seat.

The member 40 which is fixed to the valve stem 37 retains the bottom spring seat 41. Said spring seat in turn supports the pressure coil spring 42 having surrounding relation with the valve stem 37 and which is confined between the bottom spring seat 41 and the top spring seat 43. The top spring seat has contact with the pressure screw 44 which is threaded at 45 in the neck portion of the cap 20. By rotating the pressure screw 44 its position vertically of the stem 37 can be adjusted to in turn adjust the pressure exerted by the coil spring 42 on the valve member 30. When the desired adjusted position of the pressure screw has been obtained the screw is locked by the locking nut 46.

The valve stem 37 projects beyond the pressure screw to receive the lift nut 47 which is conveniently threaded to the terminal end ofthe valve stem. The hood indicated by numeral 48 is threaded at 50 to the neck portion of the cap 20 and said hood provides a chamber for receiving the lift nut 47. The hood accommodates the dog retainer nut 51 which is threaded thereto at 52 and the nut in turn together with the hood journal the lifting dog shaft 53. That portion of the lifting dog shaft within the hood is provided with a pair of spaced lifting cams 54, FIGS. 4 and 5. The left hand portion ofthe lifting dog shaft extending beyond the nut 51 is hexagonal in shape and this specially shaped end 55 receives the data torque plate 56. Due to the hexagonal shape of the dog shaft at this extending end, the shaft and the data torque plate will rotate together. The cover 57 normally closes this structure of the dog shaft and torque plate but the same is removable for exposing the dog shaft for purposes which will now be described.

The torque data plate 56 is given an arrow mark identified in FIG. 3 by the numeral 58 and a bench mark 60 for coacting therewith is located on the part 51 which is substantially integral with the housing of the valve structure. The invention makes use of a torque wrench 61 having a socket end 62 which is adapted to receive the hexagonal shaped end 55 when it is desired to lift the valve member 30 for checking the compression force of the coilspring 42 on the valve member. The torque wrench has a handle 63. The mechanism within the handle is so constructed and arranged that should an operator grasp the handle and apply a force tangential to lifting dog shaft 55, a torque is applied to the lifting dog shaft 55 and measured in inch-pounds by a suitable scale 67. The reading on scale 67 in inch-pounds will indicate a relative force on the compression spring 42 for the extent of lifting of the. valve member.

in order that the extent of lifting of the valve member for each testing procedure will be precisely the same, the rotationof the dog shaft 55 in a clockwise direction must take place to the sameextent each time. Thus the earns 54 will engage the lift nut 47 and liftthe valve stem and thus the valve member to the same extent each time. This procedure is easily accomplished'by rotating the dog shaft until the arrow mark 58 is in alinement' with bench mark 60, FIG. 3. The reading of the finger 66 on the scale 65 can be matched against a predetermined correct reading and the operator is thus informed as to the compression force of the coil spring 42 and whether it checks satisfactorily with the predetermined correct reading.

The said predetermined correct reading will. preferably be stamped on the torque data plate so that this information together with the arrow mark 58 and bench mark 60 will be visible to the operator. The test procedures using the torque wrench can be made from time to time to determine any loss or increase in valve pressure within prescribed limits of the torque rating. A test which does no not come within a predesignated range may be a basis for inspection or for repair of the valve device. The cover 57 may be locked in place between test procedures to prevent tampering with the dog shaft or with the torque data plate.

In the modification of FIG. 6, the body portion 71 receives the threaded valve seat member 72 to which is threaded the regulator ring 73 fixed in adjusted position by the set screw 74. The member 72 provides a valve seat 76 and the valve member 77 which is adapted to coact with the seat, is guided within the member 71 by the guides 78. The valve member 77 is suitably connected to the valve stem 80 by structure including the retaining member 81 and the disc 82 all in a manner as described in regards to FIG. 1.

However, the modification of FIG. 6 incorporates an improvement in the form of a plastic insert 83 having a bevelled lower edge for coaction with the valve seat 76 in the closing and opening actions of the valve member 77. The plastic insert 83 is deformable to an extent sufficient to maintain seat tightness. Also, in order to hold the plastic insert on the valve member the invention provides an inwardly directed sloping surface 84 which is angled inwardly towards the vertical center line approximately 11 degrees. The permissible range for the angled surface 84 is from 7 to The plastic insert is thus confined between the metal valve member 77 and the metal retaining member 81.

The invention is notto be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as various other forms of the device will, of course, beapparent to those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. Valve structure of the character described, in combination, a valve body providing an inlet, an outlet and a chamber located between, a valve seat located within the chamber in surrounding relation with the inlet, a valve member having coacting relation with the valve seat, a valve stem extending axially of the valve body above the valve seat, and connecting with the valve member, resilient means associated with the valve body and with the valve stem for resiliently urging the valve member into contact with the valve seat, lifting means journalled by the valve body at a location above the resilient means for lifting the valve member from its seat'upon rotation of the said lifting means in a certain direction, said lifting means having a portion of noncircular shape extending laterally outward from the body portion, a data torque plate on the said noncircular portion of the lifting means and having associated relation with the valve body, and a bench mark on the said associated part of the valve body and which is adapted to be correlated with an arrow mark on the data torque plate upon rotation of the lifting means together with rotation of the data torque plate for lifting the valve member from its seat to thereby compress the said resilient means.

2. Valve structure of the character as defined by claim I, wherein the resilient means includes a coil spring in surrounding relation with the valve stem, and wherein the lifting means is provided with spaced cams for contacting a lifting nut fixed to the valve stem, whereby rotation of the lifting mea ns in said certaln direction will cause the cams to engage the lifting nut and lift the valve member from its seat while at the same time effecting a compression action on the coil spring.

3. Valve structure of the character as defined by claim 1, wherein the noncircular extending portion of the lifting means is adapted to have the socket end of a torque wrench applied thereto for lifting the valve member by a turning action of the torque wrench, whereby to test the compression force on the resilient means.

4. Valve structure of the character as defined by claim 1, wherein the resilient means includes a coil spring in surrounding relation with the valve stem, and wherein the lifting means includes a dog shaft having spaced cams for contacting a lifting nut fixed to the valve stem, said dog shaft having the noncircular portion integral therewith and which is adapted to have the socket end of a torque wrench applied thereto for rotating the dog shaft in said certain direction, whereby a turning action of the torque wrench will rotate the dog shaft to cause the cams to contact the lifting nut and lift the valve member while at the same time effecting a compression action on the coil spring.

5. Valve structure of the character as defined by claim 4, wherein the turning of the dog shaft to aline the arrow mark on the torque data plate with the bench mark will lift the valve stem and thus the valve member a predetermined extentand which can be repeated for each test procedure. 

